Props, Setups & RiggingThis is our Checkmate setup forum. Topics include props, jackplates and setback, trim tabs, steering etc. This is also the forum to share your best setup tips and top speed numbers. So come on in and exchange setup details with your fellow members.

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HELP! I need advise. Last season, sadly after running a heavily modded 2000 Mercury 225 EFI on a 2100 BR FOR 9 years I melted a couple of pistons and badly ate my Block. My marine Mechanic is saying go for a used stock 2015 250hp Optimax pro XS with less than 200 hours that he knows. I will ask for a leak down and hour log if I drop the cash on that gamble. My question to everyone is what is the better setup? Results wise I was consistently getting 82 Mph Turning a turbo TXP OT 4 29 p with 15” of setback and my Titus coned fleetmaster with fat shaft mod (that was modded a couple of years ago for 2000$ after the shaft let go at 75 mph!). My motor has a 300 X ECU,Billet Simon heads (not sure how many cc’s) ,Poppet diverter, Simon lightened and balanced flywheel, and cut down exhaust can. So maybe 260 -270 hp?
When I bought the boat the guy was claiming 89mph on GPS Running a Labbed trophy plus 27p ..... only thing was it was on a river downstream .... still pretty good numbers with a Labbed Trophy plus 27p. Sadly I lost that prop when I sheared my shaft. More realistically on a lake it would run around 85 maybe 86 mph with that prop before I lost it. The current setup is running premix premium gas which I’m finding a bit of a nuisance and the wife and I are getting pretty tired of the noise from the cut can when just cruising. Don’t get me wrong I love to go fast but my mechanic is saying to expect 82 mph with the stock engine with better fuel economy and rock solid reliability. I do like that and am not prepared nor do I have the technical expertise to tinker with this. It is good to know your limits. However if I’m not happy I am open to having it professionally tweaked.

I don’t like to go backwards as far as performance (who does?) is concerned and LOVE how much this motor accelerates with that lightened flywheel from 30 to say 60 mph it REALLY puts you back in the seat and is a lot of fun hopping out of waves.
Any hands on advise with the 2100 BR or closed bow would be GREATLY appreciated. I want to make the right choice here. If WILDMAN is out there I would love to hear his comments as I know he’s the best when it comes to setting these boats up. I AM PARTICULARILY INTERESTED IN WHICH LU everyone feels will be better for my app. I feel that Fleetmaster is a pretty special unit and wonder which is better for bow lift for my bow rider which I feel lacks that as all bow riders do. Also blowout tolerance? I have no experience with the TorqueMaster re top speeds and blowout tolerance but know I have no issues with my 3 hole Titus fleetmaster (1.75) I currently have. One thing my mechanic is saying is this will not have much in the way of resale value if I decide to sell it after rebuilding as is and I agree. Other thing that is hard to argue is the tested reliability of a stock motor. Although 9 years of running is pretty good. Thoughts people? Your help/hands on expertise is ALWAYS appreciated. Also what is a realistic expectation speed wise for the 250 Pro XS and what can I do in the future if I want to tweak it? HELP!

Well, I'm not an expert but I do have a 250xs 2100 br. I would try and find one with a Sportmaster leg but they are rare. 300xs are easier to find with a sporty. Mine has the TorqueMaster, they do have low water pick ups in the nose of the bullet but they also have the 6 per side lower leg water pick up openings and most recommend plugging the top three on each side if you want to run the motor raised so the prop centerline is at or above the pad on the hull. Likely you were there with your set up to hit those speeds, so you will want to duplicate that.

Sounds like you already have the basic speed formula for a 250 or 300xs on a 2100 with 14-16" of set back, running the prop shaft centerline even with or 1" above the pad and a 27-29P Trophy plus.

Everyone likes the fuel economy of the xs motors and they are pretty reliable but do have some known issues. Compressors seem to be a bit of a weak point and coil packs can be an issue too. Like you did with your old motor, I find my 250xs a bit too loud anytime I'm going medium speeds cruising or pulling tubes and skiers, but I think it may be a little quieter then what you had.

Over all I don't think you will give up much or any performance with a 250xs as they make 270 - 285 hp as well. You will certainly gain some if you find a 300xs.

250xs are set up to run 87 octane, but to get ethanol free fuel I have to buy premium anyway, so no savings there for me. But maybe your location is different?

With your current setup and a 250XS you will definitely see speeds in the low 80's all day long. Step up to a 300XS with more setback and you will climb into the 90's with the right prop. Just for comparison, my old Pulsare 2100 long deck with 13.5" of setback ran 77+ with a bone stock 225Xri and a Trophy Plus 26. My yellow Starflite ran 81 with a Pro XB 250 and a Trophy Plus 27..

Well, I'm not an expert but I do have a 250xs 2100 br. I would try and find one with a Sportmaster leg but they are rare. 300xs are easier to find with a sporty. Mine has the TorqueMaster, they do have low water pick ups in the nose of the bullet but they also have the 6 per side lower leg water pick up openings and most recommend plugging the top three on each side if you want to run the motor raised so the prop centerline is at or above the pad on the hull. Likely you were there with your set up to hit those speeds, so you will want to duplicate that.

Sounds like you already have the basic speed formula for a 250 or 300xs on a 2100 with 14-16" of set back, running the prop shaft centerline even with or 1" above the pad and a 27-29P Trophy plus.

Everyone likes the fuel economy of the xs motors and they are pretty reliable but do have some known issues. Compressors seem to be a bit of a weak point and coil packs can be an issue too. Like you did with your old motor, I find my 250xs a bit too loud anytime I'm going medium speeds cruising or pulling tubes and skiers, but I think it may be a little quieter then what you had.

Over all I don't think you will give up much or any performance with a 250xs as they make 270 - 285 hp as well. You will certainly gain some if you find a 300xs.

250xs are set up to run 87 octane, but to get ethanol free fuel I have to buy premium anyway, so no savings there for me. But maybe your location is different?

Good luck

Thanks for your detailed reply. I appreciate it. I will probably keep my Titus conned fleetmaster and put it on the 250 Pro XS as it has the LWP IF it fits. He did mention what you said that some of the holes need to be plugged. The speed range Merc recommends for the TorqueMaster of UP TO 85 mph concerns me as I have had the boat up to that speed and don’t want the blowout.

I did have a Labbed 27p Trophy Plus and it was the best prop for speed but that let go at 75 mph and took out my prop shaft so will be looking for another when I get set up! The other prop is a Turbo TXP OT4 29 p and that pushed me to 81 on a regular basis.

My motor was pretty loud primarily because the can had been cut so it is nice to hear that it will be quieter. I am SO looking forward to a more stock motor but the specs for a 250 XS show 91 DB at 6000 RPM so not sure how much quieter it will be. We’ll see.

I am looking forward to ditching the premix and getting the better fuel economy and reliability of that proven motor and saving on the oil with the oil injection, running premix is smelly and expensive.

I do and will run shell premium so as not to worry about ethanol it would be nice to save the 15 or 20 cents per litre running regular but I am not up for all of the issues of ethanol in my gas .... there are a few more BTU’s in straight gas as opposed to gasohol not a lot (maybe 1%) but it is peace of mind and no headaches especially when you are talking a lean burn down. Believe me you don’t want that! My motor melted two pistons and trashed a couple of reed cages and ate the bottom end so my block is kaput. OH WELL IF YOU WANNA PLAY YOU GOTTA PAY!

What is your setup and what kinds of speeds are you running with your BR KAZARUS?

With your current setup and a 250XS you will definitely see speeds in the low 80's all day long. Step up to a 300XS with more setback and you will climb into the 90's with the right prop. Just for comparison, my old Pulsare 2100 long deck with 13.5" of setback ran 77+ with a bone stock 225Xri and a Trophy Plus 26. My yellow Starflite ran 81 with a Pro XB 250 and a Trophy Plus 27..

Thanks for the info I appreciate it. I do remember reading a lot of your posts what have you stepped into now?

We have a 1995 2100BR with an 07 250 ProXs, and it is a great combo, 80 MPH and unbelievable fuel economy. My motor is completely stock, and run a worked 27 pitch Tempest plus.

The Tepest is one of the props I’d like to try ..... how is it to handle and what is your setup (setback and LU) A lot of people comment that it can be a handful but is good for speed. If you have the TORQUEMASTER any issues with water pressure and what pad height are you running? Thanks for the info BTW I appreciate it.